B.de F. Walter(32-33) writes from Carletonville: "I have now settled down to my job as Chief Surveyor of the West Driefontein Gold Mine. Sinkholes and ground movement in this area which no doubt you have read a lot about continue to give us headaches. We have done considerable research and have a few ideas, but as yet we cannot forecast where the next sinkhole will occur. We have drilled literally thousands of boreholes and only once did we hit an underground cavity, 40 feet below surface. Our latest effort now is radio waves transmitted below ground level, and T.V. down bore holes — a very interesting problem, but beating us at the moment. My old leg trouble has moved up into my spine now,so I have to live a quiet life — very little gardening and no sport. I am still a National Examiner in Mining Economics and do lecturing in surveying, but otherwise my 8 mm. cine camera keeps me occupied. L.H.Turvey(55-60) writes from Lindsay, Ontario: "Lindsay is a big little town, population 10,000. I even found four baby cottontailsin a nest under a bush in the front garden.Pa rabbit has been causing my landlady's garden some distress. I am working for the department of Lands and Forests, Fish and Wildlife Branch.The weather is cold and unpleasant — not nice for setting 6-foot trapnets in Pigeon Lake.The section I am working for as a Forest Ranger is engaged on an extensive fish-tagging program. This entails netting the elusive fish, weighing, measuring, clipping and tagging, as well as taking scale samples for age deter mination. We cruise through stump-laden waters at dead of night; no joke, but this spices the life with an element of uncertainty. I travelled by jet across to Montreal, taking Greenland on the way. The icebergs are a majestic sight. Spent February to April working for the Ontario Water Resources Commission, doing routine hydrographic analysis of streamflow data. I have decided to go for a Master's Degree,and need money to go with me. So my present job is a case of necessity, and will provide some 800 dollars towards my fees at Toronto University. B.P. Dingley(47-52) writes from Gingingdhlovu: "Last year in January,we wenton acruise to South America,which wasrnost interesting and enjoyable. Rio de Janeiro, the gem of Brazil, was the highlight ofthe trip as far asscenery wasconcerned.The harbour,renowned for its beauty, makes our beautiful Cape Town look like Maritzburg by the sea. Although the South American countries are experiencing a boom,there is no sign ofany benefits for the man in the street. The roads are in poor condition, the parks and public buildings are dirty and covered with litter, and water and electricity are in short supply. Nothing can be obtained without a bribe. Town planning is impossible, because nobody is in government long enough tosee his plans broughtto fruition— ifhe has any plans at all. The black people are all poor and live in shacks like the old Cato Manor.The little shanty towns are spread out throughout Rio. Luxury hotels have shanty towns, without elec tricity, laid on water or sewerage,adjoining them. From a tourist point of view, we had a wonderful holiday, but I certainly would not fancy settling there." 53
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